European music award open for entry

European-based musicians and music groups have been encouraged to enter a new competition for creative minds and musical ideas. The YEAH! Young EARopean Award aims to reward programmes and individuals who are able to spark an audience’s enthusiasm for music with imaginative and innovative productions.

Primarily focussed around finding composers, musicians, authors and artists throughout Europe, the competition is hoping to unearth a number of imaginative and innovative programmes around the continent.

Organisers say that successful groups or individuals are likely to be able to engage children and young people creatively in music whether within the western classical music tradition or through traditions with differing cultural roots.

By bringing together people from different countries and diverse musical traditions this award aims to develop an understanding of each others’ cultural roots and traditions.

“Because music involves the shaping of time. It provides food for thought and brings about encounters over and above any borders,” the award organisers said.

“Music is part of being human. It is part of our life, is an expression of emotions and a bridge to understanding. Everyone needs it, but everyone also needs a path to it. YEAH! has dedicated itself to these paths.”

There are two separate categories which can be entered, with YEAH! recognising Process as well as Performance.

Within the Performance category, all professional orchestras, ensembles, musicians, composers, authors, theatres, concert halls and concert organisers as well as European musical festivals are eligible to apply.

Meanwhile, in the Process group, outreach projects and programs associated with concerts and musical theatre that took place during the 2009–10 and 2010–11 seasons or the 2010 and 2011 festival seasons can put themselves forward.

Any projects submitted for the YEAH! Young EARopean Award will be in with a chance of winning a total of €40,000 (£34,152) prize money.

The closing date for applications is June 1st 2011 and the first presentation of prizes will be taking place on November 19th 2011 during the week-long YEAH! Festival.